Puzzle



(No Model.)

0. A. EMERSON.

PUZZLE.

No. 522,250. Patented July 3,'1894..

5 useful Improvement in CHARLES A. EMERSON, OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN.

' PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 522,250, dated July 3,1894.

Application filed November 3,1893. Serial No. 489,910. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. Ennnson, of Oshkosh, in the county ofWinnebago and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and Puzzles, ofwhich the following is a description, reference being bad to theaccompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements 1 in puzzles, and it consistsof the devices and parts as hereinafter described and claimed, or theirequivalents.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a plan view of the puzzleshowing the men or chips thereon in their proper initial position; andFig. 2, is a similar view, with the men removed, to illustrate a systemof numbering.

Like letters of reference denote like parts 2c in both figures of thedrawings.

2 partly 0 so that an equal number may be marked off the shape shown,may

Referring to the drawings, the letter A indicates a fiatboard,preferably provided with a raised rim or flange B. Thisboard is ofthe peculiar shape shown, viz, consisting of two rectangular figures,disposed diagonally with respect to each other, and merging at adjacentangles, so as to have an angle in common. This board is preferablydivided off into a series of blocks or spaces 0, of blocks or spacesdivision of the board, and a central square 0' is left connecting thesquares of the respective divisions. The blocks or spaces directly onthe board, or on canvas, paper, or like material, of corresponding shapeto the board, and fastened thereto in any suitable manner. Or a diagramon canvas, paper or like material, of be provided, so as to be inconvenient form for attachment to a table, or other suitable supportingmedium, or to a permanent board of rectangular shape, instead of to aboard conforming exactly to 5 the outline of the puzzle. In the upperdlViS- 5o ing color.

ion is shown as arranged a series of dark chips or men D, of circular,or other desired form, and in the lower division a series of similarchips E, of light or other distinguish- There are eight chips of eachcolor. And all thespaces of the respective divisions are filled in withsaid chips, leaving the central space 0 vacant, asshown in Fig. 1.

After arranging the men or chips on the ,plained, the object is totransfer the men of black, or other distinguishing color, to thediagonally opposite side white men vice versa. This is to beaccomplished bya series of moves,in each of which a man is moved oneblock or space over one man only. It is necessary however to move andjump the men square, in contradistincat the central space and withoutmoving or jumping backward, so that when all the moves have beencompleted, the black men will occupy the position of the white men inFig. 1, and the white men the position of the black,

can be accomplished in 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52 moves, figuring of course ajump as one move.

If the diagram is of the peculiarshape shown, it is not absolutelynecessary that the blocksor spaces should be ruled off, inasmuch as whenthe chips are arranged to fill up the spaces of the board or diagram, asshown in Fig. 1, the moves can be readily made without reference to anyruling. This latter, however, in practice, is found convenient. I alsoprefer to number the spaces as indicated in Fig. 2, whereby acombination of moves is more conveniently indicated.

Whilel have shown in the drawings the partly rectangular divisions ofthe board or digram as each is capable of accommodating eight men orchips, Ido not wish to be under stood as limiting myself, to a board ordiagram adapted to receive only that particular number, as it is obviousthat the size of, the board or diagram may be increased, so as to permiteach division to receive therein chips or men to the number of fourteen,twenty, and so on indefinitely, the puzzle being capable of being workedso long as each division is in creased six squares or spaces.

Instead of distinguishing the men by color, it is also obvious that theycan be properly distinguished in any other convenient manner, as forinstance by making the two sets respectively, of different shapes.

of the board and the tion to diagonally, without getting blocked finallyleaving the central space vacant. This board or diagram in the mannerabove exso as to have an Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A puzzle comprisingadiagram, of a shape to form two partlyrectangular figures, disposed diagonally with respect to each other,said figures merging at their adjacent angles,

angle in common, the respective partly rectangular divisions adapted toreceive therein a series of men or chips, the space at the point ofmerging of the two figures being left vacant, said chips or men adaptedto be transferred by a series of square moves or jumps from one divisionto the other, leaving the central connecting space finally vacant,substantially as set forth.

2. Apuzzle, comprisinga diagram ofa shape to form two partly rectangularfigures disposed diagonally with respect to each other, said figuresmerging at adjacent angles, so as to have an angle in common, thediagram be: ing divided into a series of blocks or spaces, leaving acentral space at the point of merging of the two divisions, therespective blocks or spaces of the rectangular divisions adapted toreceive therein a series of men or chips, the space at the point ofmergingof the two figures or divisions being left vacant, said chips ormen adapted to be transferred by a series of square moves or jumps fromone division to the other, leaving the central connecting space finallyvacant, substantially as set forth.

3. A puzzle comprising a diagram, of a shape to form two partlyrectangular figures, disposed diagonally with respect to each other,said figures merging at adjacent angles, so as to have an angle incommon, the diagram being divided into a series of blocks or spaces,leaving a central space at the point of merging of the two divisions,all of said blocks or spaces distinguished severally by a certainnumber, and the respective blocks or spaces of the rectangular divisionsadapted to receive therein a series of men or chips, the space at thepoint of merging of the two figures or divisions being left vacant, saidchips or men adapted to be transferred by a series of square moves orjumps from one division to the other, leaving the central connectingspace finally vacant, substantially as set forth.

4. A puzzle board consisting of a series of blocks or spaces arranged ona rectangular field or base, and another series of blocks or.

spaces also arranged on a rectangular field 01' base, the two series ofblocks or spaces being so disposed that a corner block or space of oneseries is the corner block or space of the other series, substantiallyas set forth.

In testimony whereoflaflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. EMERSON.

Witnesses:

W. II. FRAWLEY, A. H. LEIDIGER.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent N 0. 522,250, granted July3, 1894, upon the application of Charles A. Emerson, of Oshkosh,Wisconsin, for an improvement in Puzzles, an error appearsin the printedspecification requiring the following correction, Viz.: In line (32,page 1, after the word space the following words should be inserted: oris jumped; and that the Letters Patent should be read with thiscorrection therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealedv this 10th day of July, A. D. 1894.

[SEAL] JNO. M. REYNOLDS, Assistant Secretary of the Interior.Countersigned JOHN S. SEYMOUR,

Commissioner of Patents.

